Slitherine

Fist battle of Berlin what's the key to victory?

I though it's holding in the north at the river crossings and fighting in the south but there are simply too many to hold and they slip across the river(s).

Should I shorten the line? Which airport should I hold - the one in the north or the two in the south ?

PS
Playing on FM

I usually hold all the land between the river and canals, the west airport, and the closer of the southern airports. Outside of that perimeter I try to hold the two objectives just to the south and slightly east of the western airport to guard it's flank. All other objectives including the one to the north of the western airport I sacrifice. Pull as many aux units back as you can - they aren't too usefull but can be used to block easy access to your artillery from behind. Upgrade them with transport and later you can use them to reoccupy city hexes while your core continues to fight the enemy.

Otherwise trade space to preserve your forces. If I have to sacrifice an airfield I'll pull back from the western one - but that will become the priority for the counter attack. Beat up on the enemy as much as possible. It can be more effective to damage 2 units and make them unable to attack next turn then kill one unit and leave the other free to maneuver. Beware of additional wave(s) of enemy units before going on the offensive to recover lost objectives. Be generous with resupply/replacements in the scenario.

I have only played this once, but I did get a dv at the FM level my first try. I held less than boredatwork described above. If you are not an expert or have a massive core, then I suggest being slightly less ambitious in your lines.

I held all that was bound by the Westhafenkanal, Spree River and Landwehrkanal to the south. I ignored anything out of these water borders except the 10 hexes to the west with that air strip. That has water border on two sides and you only have to defend 3/4 hexes without the border. A maus and a Royal Tiger (tII) work well here. Overall, this creates a "bi-lobed" defense zone, so keep mobile units near the center (near the Fuehferbunker) to swing in any direction as needed. I found overall this the most exhausting and intense defensive battle (as it should be!), but winnable. It is a lot of work.

Just wait those lines out until they are exhausted and then go on the offensive. It's not easy and still requires work. Defending the very far eastern tip at the confluence of the Landwehrkanal and Spree R. is difficult as you are exposed on three sides. you may need to pull back and defend a narrower front, and reclaim that later. Don't bring any green or weak units to this battle!

boredatwork wrote: It can be more effective to damage 2 units and make them unable to attack next turn then kill one unit and leave the other free to maneuver.

Thanks, that's one of the mistakes I was making going for the complete kills...

PS
Turn seven: What a strange game - I'm surviving by not killing enemy units. I wish I have two more arty units. It paid off leaving some of the fighter units home and getting the two HE117 out of the hangars. Still no core units lost

I just finished Berlin 45 on FM tonight. Tough battle and I'm mentally exhausted. I got a DV, but my core is beat up. I lost 4 five star units. I would not have been so stingy on the in game elite replacements had I known what was coming next.

I intuitively used the same strategy that has been previously suggested. I intended to hold the west and south airfields, but abandoned that idea by turn 4. I let them have the west, solidified my line, and let them pound up against my defenses.

Turn 8

situation still precarious - especially East part - my units are down to 1-2 shots need to resupply no reserves